Projects:Meshtastic

Hackerspace Nijmegen has a Meshtastic node. It is configured to connect to the space WiFi.

The goal is to have a node that prints all received messages to a display in the hackerspace.

Status: node should be 24/7 online with the name 'Hackerspace Nijmegen', or short 'HSN'. We can succesfully read incoming messages with a python script on a machine on the same WiFi network, but don't do this continuously yet.

Heltec e290

Specs:

Hardware:

- Heltec Vision Master E290

- Professional Lora Antenna with 4,5m coax

//TODO:

• run https://github.com/brad28b/meshtastic-cli-receive-text on a RPi or the server, and output incoming messages to the screen
• find out how to switch of https to connect over local network via the browser app.
• set correct location and add MQTT to set it on the meshtastic map

//DONE (10-06-2025)

• update to the latest firmware
• swap battery for power supply
• set static IP (via DHCP, Router always supplies same IP: http://10.138.66.187/)
• place on the highest possible point in the building

//Done (17-06-2025)

• added professional antenna (to gain highest possible point.
• fixed user to dialout group (see tips)
• learned to check VPN (see tips)

Useful links:

https://meshtastic.org/docs/software/python/cli/usage/

https://client.meshtastic.org/(use webgl browser like chromium)

https://flash.meshtastic.org/ (use webgl browser like chromium)

for more meshtastic background:

https://www.meshnet.nl/

Tips:

• When you enter the Heltec E290 (Esp32) device to flash or control with the browser, press boot button while plugging in.
• When your machine shows the device to be present (lsusb), but the webclient cannot connect (Could not open serial port /dev/ttyUSB0) check if your username is added to groups (cli: groups). To add:sudo adduser your_user dialout
• When you cannot connect over http to the device with the meshtastic smartphone app, please check IF YOU HAVE YOUR VPN TURNED OFF! (grmbllh!@#$!)

Hackers involved:

Voorstad, Jay9